Page 9 - Arthritis Society Annual Report 2019/2020

A WILL T O GIVE BA CK

John Beresford has been a car enthusiast all his life. Last June, he set off on an epic adventure – a
16,000-kilometre rally from China to France. But for John, the journey
started a long time ago with the love of his life, Deirdre.

John and his wife were living in Alberta in the 1980s when Deirdre
was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. While Deirdre stayed
active, including working as an Arthritis Society volunteer after the
couple moved to British Columbia in 1990, the disease began to “The Arthritis
take its toll.

The many surgeries, treatments, injuries and hospitalizations DEIRDRE BERESFORD Society is doing
eventually made Deirdre frail and she passed away in April 2016.
great work in
Just a few months before her death, John had bought Deirdre a 1956 Volkswagen Beetle. The
elevated seats and lightweight doors made it easier for her to get in and out of, boosting her research and
independence. Sadly however, she never got the chance to drive it.
supporting people
Looking for a way to make a difference after Deirdre’s heartbreaking
passing, John entered the 2019 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, living with the
along with his brother Chris, to raise funds for the Arthritis Society in
her memory. Rally participants must use a car built between 1907 to disease.”
1976, so Dierdre’s 1956 Beetle was a meaningful, and perfect, fit.

Says John of his motivation for participating in the gruelling rally,
“Much of the public does not appreciate how severely this disease - JOHN BERESFORD
affects people and how their lives are changed by it. It makes it
JOHN BERESFORD
difficult to carry on a normal life.

“The Arthritis Society is doing great work in research and supporting people living with the
disease.”

John isn’t just raising funds, he’s also leaving it behind. The memory of Deidre’s love for volunteer
work moved him to make the Arthritis Society a beneficiary in his Will.

There’s no doubt Deirdre would be happy to know John’s legacy gift to the Arthritis Society is
providing hope to so many other families.

Page 9 | Arthritis Society Annual Report 2019 / 2020